Ghana’s trendiest festival Afrochella is being sued by Coachella; an American music and art festival for alleged trademark infringement.
Afrochella which is a festival celebrating African culture, music, arts, and food started in Ghana in 2017.
On Wednesday, 5th October 2022, Goldenvoice (the concert giant behind Coachella) filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against the organizers of Afrochella in California district court.
3 years before this lawsuit AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns Goldenvoice) issued a warning to the Afrochella festival about their infringement on the festival’s trademark.
The written statement sent to Afrochella in 2019 read;
“We understand that you are using Afrochella as the name of a music and arts festival. We note that your event is part of a larger celebration that is designed to attract those living abroad (including those in the United States) to return home to Africa.”
“Regardless of the celebration or event, your use of Afrochella as the name of a music and arts festival is highly likely to create a likelihood of confusion and mistake as to the affiliation, connection, or association of you with AEG and with Coachella. In particular, the public is likely to believe that you are authorized by, or affiliated with, AEG or Coachella.
In fact, you have even admitted that your event name and your event were inspired by Coachella. Similarly, comments to own your own Facebook page comment that your festival name is merely trading on the goodwill of the Coachella mark.”
The Afrochella festival aimed to bring Africans especially Ghanaians in the diaspora together to network while having fun.
Thanks to Afrochella, Ghana has become the number one party hub in Africa where the majority of people look forward to having a great time in December annually.
This year, Afrochella has started the “Rising Star Afrochella,” a challenge meant to help talented upcoming artists win a chance to perform at upcoming Afrochella Festival.
Afrochella 2022 is scheduled to take place on December 28 and 29 at El Wak Stadium in Accra, Ghana.
Artists on the bill include headliners Burna Boy and Stonebwoy, as well as Ayra Starr, Fireboy DML, Black Sherif, and more.
Certainly an initiative with good intent, but the question on the minds of most fans is, will this lawsuit affect their chance of having a good time at this year’s event?
Source: rollingstone.com